Craving a little slice of normality?

While soaring Covid-19 case numbers are likely to make tighter restrictions inevitable in the coming weeks, for now, it’s still okay to leave the house in search of dinner, a drink and some distraction.

Provided you wear a mask and take a socially-distanced seat outdoors, it’s one social event that’s not off the menu just yet.

On Union Quay, Charlie’s Bar and El Phoenix are open with a new riverside seating area and food supplied by either Union Grind Cafe or by delivery from The Gourmet Chinese.

At The Oval, you can walk up for a seat in the new heated outdoor area on Tuckey Street from 2pm daily.

Here are six more Cork pubs that are serving through Level 3:

1. Fionnbarra

Over on Douglas Street, the Fionn Barra beer garden is open on a first-come, first-served basis. The bar opens at 3pm daily and bookings are off for the moment so just swing by and take your chances.

2. Tom Barry’s

Up on Barrack Street, one of the city’s best beer gardens is open and serving in three booking slots of 5pm, 7pm or 8.45pm (Sun-Thurs).

“To make this situation economically viable for us, each guest must order food.” the management explained on Facebook.

“You can book online as usual. Pizza take-away and Deliveroo are still open from 4pm each day. Thank you for your understanding.”

3. Cask

There’s something about a strong cocktail that can help you leave all your worries behind for an hour or two. If you’re planning to indulge, you might as well go right to the source; Cask on MacCurtain Street is still serving their award-winning cocktails in the socially-distanced safety of their cosy courtyard.

There’s a tasty wine menu too and a full bar if you’d rather a pint. Email info@caskcork.com for more information.

4. The Franciscan Well

Over on the Nother Mall, the beer garden at The Franciscan Well is open to 15 people at any one time. Full covered and heated, you can kick back with a Pompeii pizza from the wood-fired oven, then grab your favourite drinks from the new Fran Well Off Licence to take home.

They’re online too, so you can have batched cocktails, fresh beer growlers, ciders, six-packs and chilled pizzas delivered straight to your door via Deliveroo.

5. Brick Lane

You can swing by Brick Lane on South Main Street for brunch seven days a week from 11am and later in the day they’ll be serving an evening menu with a full bar and some tasty new cocktails until 11pm.

The team is working on a click and collect service but in the meantime, it’s all systems go during Level 3.

“We will be making our outside terrace as comfortable as we can and are looking forward to welcoming customers to our new normal for a while.” a Brick Lane staffer told us.

6. Rising Sons

The Rising Sons’ outdoor area, complete with new tents, is open for 15 people on Cornmarket Street. There’s a click and collect service for take away pizzas, nachos and meat and cheese boards too and you can pick up a five-litre take away keg for €33.50.

“We welcome bookings all day but after 5pm bookings will need to have food. We also welcome walk-ins,” said Judy Wilkins, General Manager.
You can book through Facebook or via their website.